Galway Feminist Collective Testimonial

posted by Andrew Nesbitt | 292sc
November 26, 2018

The Galway Feminist Collective is a grassroots intersectional feminist group that stages direct actions, educational workshops and uses different forms of art to give platform to marginalised voices and conversations related to the intersection of gender, race, sexuality and class. As well as the actions and events that we organise, we believe how we organise is fundamental to creating a radical alternative to the current culture of individualistic consumerism. Therefore, we challenge our own power and privilege, we organise anti-hierarchically and reflect on the collective level what is needed individually for trust and relationships to flourish and to manage burnout within the group.

In February, two of our members traveled to London to pitch GFC and to learn about other radical projects in the UK. This was a great experience to learn of a participatory and truly radical way of distributing funds while meeting fellow activists that are carrying out really inspiring work. We left this funding day feeling inspired, motivated and part of a larger network of radical activists. What we appreciated most was hearing about the diversity of projects and their roots in community-led struggles.

The funds that we received from Edge Fund went towards our third annual ‘The F Word Feminist Festival’ which took place in August and incorporated the three pillars of what we do and our anti-hierarchical, self-organising approach.

Over a period of a week we held eight actions and events, including a women and non-binary bike workshop, a feminist true storytelling night, a feminist community art exhibition and open mic, a zine-making workshop, a public talk collaborating with the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, a Take Back the Night march and demonstration, a full-day of collaborative and diverse workshops and finally, a feminist music night to close the festival. Our day of workshops was the highlight of the week, which provided a radical space to learn about the struggles of different grassroots groups and movements, including; sex workers, Trans and non-binary folk, an environmental direct action group and a tenants’ union.